The Funding Network NZ
Inspiring the little contributions, that together, facilitate big change
The Funding Network NZ (TFN NZ) was a national charity focused on strengthening the capacity of small Kiwi grassroots charities, and inspiring generosity. The charity closed on 31st March 2024.*
This is our story, from our beginnings in 2014 to our closing in 2024: the events, the people, the impact & the future.
*Scroll to the bottom of this site for info about our legacy project & key contact.
Our Kaupapa (Purpose)
Inspire and enable generosity. We connect generous Kiwis to the people who are leading change in our communities, facilitating engaged and meaningful giving.
Strengthen grassroots changemakers. We connect grassroots change-making organisations with the people, tools and resources to generate flexible funds, which power up their ongoing capacity to thrive.
Impactful in practice and in legacy. Our model of collective giving democratises philanthropy and helps to build an engaged community of givers.
Vision
Giving social change agents the resources they need to achieve impact through collective giving.
Mission
We bring people together through collective giving experiences and provide resources for social change.
Values
Equity: We are committed to advancing equity by prioritising outcomes that address disparities in our communities.
Whanaungatanga: We look to build genuine, meaningful and long-term relationships with and between the partners in our TFN community.
Authenticity: We are honest, ethical and authentic in our commitment to serving the communities of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Kotahitanga: We nurture a culture of collaboration and collective purpose across our TFN community.
Empowerment: All that we do seeks to inspire positive change and empower change makers.
TFN International
The Funding Network UK was founded in 2002 by art-dealer Dr Frederick Mulder CBE.
His idea was to create live giving circles or ‘live crowdfunding’ which offered small, grassroots charities working for social change the opportunity to 'pitch' for funds from an audience of potential donors.
The Funding Network has grown to become a global network of affiliates, called TFN International, sparking a worldwide “giving revolution” - hundreds of people coming together at live, virtual and hybrid events every week, working together to create lasting social change in their communities.
The Funding Network celebrated 20 years of impact in 2022!
In 2014...
Nick Edgar hears about The Funding Network UK through his brother who lives in the UK. He reaches out to Fred Mulder about creating something similar in New Zealand. At the same time, Hilary Sumpter, CEO of Auckland Communities Foundation, also reaches out to TFN UK with the same idea.
Nick and Hilary connect, and agree to create The Funding Network New Zealand, under the umbrella of the Auckland Communities Foundation (now the Auckland Foundation).
The first TFN NZ live crowdfunding event. Dr Fred Mulder visited New Zealand in support of this new chapter (pictured 2nd from the right).
The first TFN NZ live crowdfunding event. Dr Fred Mulder visited New Zealand in support of this new chapter (pictured 2nd from the right).
Hilary Sumpter (co-founder of TFN NZ) speaking at the first TFN NZ live crowdfunding event in 2014.
Hilary Sumpter (co-founder of TFN NZ) speaking at the first TFN NZ live crowdfunding event in 2014.
THE EVENTS
Live Crowdfunding Events
TFN NZ live crowdfunding events were innovative, exciting and the first of their kind in New Zealand. They connected generous Kiwis to the people leading change in our communities, to democratise philanthropy and facilitate engaged and meaningful giving.
The live crowdfunding model involved four small Kiwi charities delivering six-minute pitches at a live event attended by 70-100 potential donors. Following their pitch, each charity had a further six minutes to answer questions from the audience.
To prepare for the event, each charity received mentoring from a ‘pitch coach’ to learn how to communicate their organisation's impact in a short, compelling pitch.
After pitches were made, and questions answered, the charities left the room and a ‘live pledging’ session took place, with advocates championing each project.
The totals were tracked live, and the charities were invited back into the room where final totals were revealed! Live events were opportunities for charities to network with businesses and philanthropists, and make important connections that in some cases led to pro-bono support or grants for their cause.
Events & Participating Charities
Sept 2014: Tread Lightly Caravan, Ngā Rangatahi Toa, Clown Doctors, Te Whakaora Tangata
June 2015: Assistance Dogs New Zealand, Fair Food, Young Carers NZ, Crescendo
Sept 2015: Upper Hutt Community, WorkerBe, Orientation Aotearoa, Common Unity
March 2016: Circability Trust, Mind Over Manner, Mapura, Mixit
August 2017: InsideOUT Kōaro, Wellbeing Trust, Urutapu Tamāhine Programme
May 2018: We Make Happy, The Kindness Institute, Everybody Eats
Nov 2018: Bellyful, The Aunties, DOG-abled
Nov 2019: Asylum Seekers Support Trust, Prayas Theatre, Morningside Urban Market
Impact
8 Live Crowdfunding events
28 small Kiwi charities
$373,940 raised*
*Collective total raised including match funding & post-event private donations
Additional Links:
The Funding Network raises $46,000 in half an hour (5 June 2015)
Wellington welcomes The Funding Network Crowdfunding (9 July 2015)
Four Wellington charities to benefit from crowdfunding (19 August 2015)
The Funding Network raises $23,000 in an hour (22 September 2015)
Four Arts Charities Brush up for the Funding Network (15 February 2016)
Four Auckland arts charities benefit from Kiwi generosity (24 March 2016)
Grass Roots Charities Receive Cash Injection (30 August 2017)
Thousands raised every minute at Crowdfunding Function (26 November 2019)
#HelpFromHome
When the COVID-19 pandemic reached New Zealand in March 2020, TFN NZ had some decisions to make. With New Zealand in lockdown, and people confined to their ‘bubbles’ for an indeterminate amount of time, live in-person crowdfunding events were no longer viable.
We wanted to continue to build the capacity of small charities and support them to raise funds, but we were mindful of the impact the pandemic was having. For many small charities operating at the grassroots level in communities, there was an increased demand for their services/support, with no additional funding options available and in-person fundraising activities no longer possible.
So like many other organisations, we pivoted. To build the online fundraising capacity for small charities, we created an initiative called #HelpFromHome.
The #HelpFromHome fundraising events took place online via Facebook Live and Givealittle. Each event featured 3 or 4 charities. The online aspect meant that any small charity in New Zealand could apply to participate, and generous Kiwis could make contributions from the comfort of their ‘bubbles’
During the live event each charity would deliver a ‘pitch’ for funds and encourage people to donate. After the event, the crowdfunding campaigns were open on Givealittle for two weeks to continue raising funds.
Each charity received training in pitching and basic crowdfunding, and donations were often matched by Trusts and Foundations.
Events & Participating Charities
April 2020: Asylum Seekers Support Trust, The Kindness Institute, Aviva Families
Nov 2020: Te Ara Whatu, Third Culture Minds, Grandfriends
May 2021: The Period Place, Who Did You Help Today?, Yoga Education in Prisons, Sticks'n'Stones
Aug 2021: Kindness Collective, Oke Charity, Love Soup Hibiscus Coast
Nov 2021: Te Toki Voyaging Trust, Digital Seniors, Shift Foundation
Impact
5 Online Crowdfunding events
16 small Kiwi charities
$251,921 raised*
*Collective total raised including match funding & post-event donations
"TFN was integral to the longer term success of our youth mental health charity. When our world was filled with uncertainty (Covid!), funding options for TKI dried up in an instant. That’s where the unwavering support of TFN, provided not only a much needed, new and urgent funding option that kept our services going, they also provided invaluable advice, guidance and tangible pathways to ensure funding flowed where other avenues did not. Ka nui te mihi ki a koe to all of the TFN team for keeping our kaupapa alive!”
Brady Polkinghorne | Director | The Kindness Institute
Generosity Generator
Across 2020 and 2021 we hosted five #HelpFromHome events, but each call out for participants attracted an overwhelming number of applications from charities. We also observed the impact that the pandemic was having on Kiwi charities' ability to fundraise for their work and keep up with demand.
News article from Stuff - 19th Nov 2021
News article from Stuff - 19th Nov 2021
We recognised a need for a more comprehensive training programme that would both teach the skills needed to run a successful crowdfunding campaign, and allow charities to raise vital funds for their work. And so the next iteration of TFN NZ was created.
In February 2022 we piloted the Generosity Generator (GG), an online fundraising training programme specifically designed for small Kiwi grassroots charities.
The programme taught the essentials of how to create, promote and run a successful crowdfunding campaign, and then provided an opportunity to put these skills into practice and raise funds through a 12 or 14 day crowdfunding campaign on Givealittle.
The training was delivered completely online via Zoom, so small charities from anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand could participate, and unlike #HelpFromHome we were able to train up to 50 charities in each intake. The Generosity Generator was co-created and co-facilitated by Tim Pare and Anusha Bhana, co-leads of TFN NZ.
Generosity Generator co-facilitators, Tim Pare & Anusha Bhana
Generosity Generator co-facilitators, Tim Pare & Anusha Bhana
We’d start with a welcome session followed by 4 live online training workshops teaching how to map networks, craft an engaging campaign story and assess which tactics will be most effective for promoting a campaign. Following the workshops charities would have 4 - 6 weeks to prepare their crowdfunding campaigns. We walked alongside charities as they prepared and provided professional resources and templates, 1:1 advice and comprehensive support.
The support continued throughout the 12 day nationwide crowdfunding event on Givealittle, and post-campaign so charities could assess what they had learned, and what improvements they could make for future campaigns.
Article published in Exult's Tonic Magazine - May 2023
Article published in Exult's Tonic Magazine - May 2023
For most charities Generosity Generator was a worthwhile investment in supporting them to diversify their funding streams and grow their giving community.
GG Participants (clockwise from top right): Radio Lollipop, The Cake Detective, Karioi Project, Migrant Action Trust
GG Participants (clockwise from top right): Radio Lollipop, The Cake Detective, Karioi Project, Migrant Action Trust
The aim was to embed best practice online fundraising knowledge through practical application, to help small charities build a solid foundation for a more financially sustainable future.
The pilot GG programme in March/April 2022 won the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) Excellence in Innovation Award.
Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) Excellence in Innovation Award 2022 for Generosity Generator pilot programme.
Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) Excellence in Innovation Award 2022 for Generosity Generator pilot programme.
Impact
4 intakes & nationwide online events
123 small Kiwi charities
$895,164 raised*
*Collective total raised including match funding & post-event donations
The following are the participating charities and links to some of the media coverage achieved.
TFN NZ Media Release: Scoop Media, Migrant Action Trust: Stuff Pou Tiaki, Newshub, Kia Haumaru: Scoop Independent News, The Cake Detective Charitable Trust: Radio New Zealand, Stuff, Breakfast, Shiloh Creative Life Centre: 530 PMN Cook Islands, East FM, Big Brothers Big Sisters North Canterbury: Scoop Independent News, Northern Outlook, North Canterbury News, Toha Kai/Roimata Commons: Carbon News, Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand: Indian Newslink
TFN NZ Media Release: Scoop Media, Hutt Community Radio: Scoop Independent, BirdCare Aotearoa: The Aucklander/NZ Herald, Scoop Independent, Western Leader/Stuff, Voxy, RNZ - The Panel, Western BOP Neighbourhood Support: Sun Live, Kids in Need Waikato: Waikato Herald/New Zealand Herald, Good Bitches Baking: Wellington Scoop, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wellington: Scoop Independent, Voxy, Independent Herald -Wellington, Equine Inspired: Nelson Mail and Tasman Leader/Stuff, Pivotal Point: Queenstown Mountain Scene Magazine, Repair Cafe Aotearoa: Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan/RNZ
TFN NZ Media Release #1, TFN NZ Media Release #2, Seniors ASAP: Article in The Northern Advocate, Youth Encounter: Article in the Bay of Plenty Times, Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust: Feature in TVNZ Seven Sharp piece, Okains Bay Museum: Article in Stuff Pou Tiaki and Te Ao Māori News, Horses Helping Humans Taranaki: Interview on TVNZ Breakfast (Wed 10 May, 8.45am), Rainbow Hub Waikato: Interview on FreeFM, Bloom Pukekohe - Article in Franklin County Times (pg 10).
TFN NZ Media Release: Scoop Media, Merivale Community Centre: SunLive, One Mother to Another: The Press, Star News (ODT), Southern Lakes Sanctuary: Scene
"Generosity Generator is an incredible programme to help support and guide you through crowdfunding which can be both an exhilarating and terrifying experience. It helps create a campaign unique to your organisation and funding needs, provides templates to help guide your comms and is overall a really positive experience. You learn that it's not always about the money raised, it's about the connections you create along the way, growing awareness about your cause and strengthening important relationships in your community. I highly recommend Generosity Generator to any charity needing a helping hand to raise funds for their mahi/work."
Alicia Hall | Parents for Climate Aotearoa
The People
Sponsors & Supporters
These organisations & businesses worked with us to bring our mahi/work to life through promotional support, financial support or pro-bono services.
Macquarie Group Foundation
The Macquarie Group Foundation partnered with us for our live crowdfunding events in September 2014 and September 2015, overall supporting 8 small Kiwi charities to raise a collective total of $181,466!
Bayleys
Bayleys sponsored our live crowdfunding events in November 2018 and November 2019, overall supporting 6 small Kiwi charities to raise a collective total of $52,515!
ASB
ASB sponsored our live crowdfunding events in August 2017 and November 2019, which overall supporting 6 small Kiwi charities to raise a collective total of $43,225!
Wellington City Council
Wellington City Council sponsored our live crowdfunding event in September 2015.
The Gift Trust
The Gift Trust sponsored our live crowdfunding event in September 201
GRIDAkl
GRIDAkl sponsored our live crowdfunding event in November 2019.
FINZ
The Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) provided in-kind prizes for our first and second Generosity Generator in 2022. They also published an article in their annual magazine about how & why TFN NZ have harnessed change to better serve the small charity sector.
Exult
Exult provided in-kind prizes for our third Generosity Generator in 2023. The team also invited Tim & Anusha to deliver a crowdfunding workshop at the 2023 Tonic Conference, and published an article about Generosity Generator in the May 2023 issue of Tonic Magazine.
ANCAD
Auckland North Community & Development (ANCAD) provided promotional support and published an article about TFN NZ and the Generosity Generator in their Community Connections magazine in February 2023.
The Funding Network UK
The Funding Network UK were extremely supportive in TFN NZ’s first year providing guidance, support and start up funds to get us going.
Philanthropy New Zealand
Philanthropy New Zealand were our key partners for our first live crowdfunding event in September 2014, and continued to provide promotional support.
Perpetual Guardian
Perpetual Guardian supported TFN NZ with match funding for charities in our Help From Home events and Generosity Generator events.
One NZ (formerly Vodafone)
Vodafone/One NZ supported TFN NZ with match funding for charities in our first Help From Home event.
Foundation North
Foundation North provided match funding for some Help From Home and Generosity Generator charities.
The Todd Foundation
TFN NZ were one of the 8 charities chosen by The Todd Foundation for a grant that supported the delivery of our Generosity Generator in 2023.
“Working with the Funding Network NZ has been one experience I will always treasure. I think the work done by them has been so critical, supporting charities to fundraise and build connections online at a time when the cost of living has made it harder for charities to operate, and more need for their services than ever. Chorus is so incredibly proud of the work TFN NZ has done over our three-year partnership and feel lucky that we could be part of the story. Thank you for all your mahi and aroha over the years.”
Hannah Taylor | Head of Sustainability | Chorus New Zealand
Partners
These are the organisations that we partnered with to deliver our #HelpFromHome & Generosity Generator programmes & events.
Chorus
Chorus came on board as a partner in 2021, during the #HelpFromHome events. They stepped up right when we needed them most, providing grants that covered our operational costs. Without Chorus we would have closed in 2020, and there wouldn't have been a Generosity Generator! During the time that Chorus supported us, 139 charities raised a collective total of $1,147,085!
Givealittle
Givealittle first partnered with us for the #HelpFromHome online events in 2020. Since then they have provided an excellent crowdfunding platform and incredible 1:1 support for all the charities that have come through our programmes. During the time that Givealittle collaborated with us, 139 charities raised a collective total of $1,147,085!
NZME
New Zealand Media & Entertainment (NZME) partnered with us for the Generosity Generator in Sept 2022, May 2023 and Nov 2023, providing in-kind radio advertising, digital display advertising and sharing story leads about participating charities throughout their regional and national news network. Across these three nationwide crowdfunding events, 89 charities raised a collective total of $653,323!
The Givealittle and TFN partnership always seemed like a very natural fit; a crowdfunding platform, and an expert TFN team providing wrap-around support for Kiwi charities that needed guidance in an ever-changing fundraising landscape. The beauty of our collaboration during the virtual #HelpfromHome events, and the Generosity Generators are that each organisation that participated learned skills that they could apply to every campaign going forward. It has been an absolute pleasure for us to support every event with the TFN team, we are so proud of what our partnership has accomplished these last three years!”
Mel Steel | General Manager | Givealittle
Former Team Members & Volunteers
The TFN NZ kaupapa has been an incredible team effort. From co-founders Nick Edgar and Hilary Sumpter collaborating in 2014 to create a New Zealand version of TFN, to the sponsors, funders, volunteers, pitch coaches, leads and co-leads, board members and committee member who have poured their passion and aroha into this work.
Board & Committee Members
Pitch Coaches for live events
Live event volunteers
MCs for #HelpFromHome
Photographers & Videographers
Staff Members
"The last decade has seen an exceptional run of supporting charities to upskill, raise funds, resource better and connect to more people and opportunities. TFN NZ was an incredible activator for corporate social responsibility at a time when the crowdfunding concept was just emerging here, bridging communities to the business world. The value from being a Funding Network charity rippled out from events beyond the obvious financial support with donations in kind, mentorships and higher public profile. Our country is a better place for The Funding Network working its magic. I’m proud to have had a small part in that journey but the real stars are out there in the community, likely underpaid and overworked, making a difference to those who need it most. My hope is that we find ways to support them better. He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata."
Anissa Ljanta | Former TFN NZ National Lead
TFN NZ TEAM
as @ 31st March 2024
Yolande Dewey
Chairperson & Trustee
Yolande first joined the TFN team in 2017 as a charity pitch coach. Yolande works as a freelance producer with leading content production companies in NZ and Australia and serves as a mentor/facilitator with the Play Leadership Programme in Auckland. She is passionate about helping small charities to better tell their stories and increase their impact. Click HERE for a short video message from Yolande.
Nick Edgar
Co-founder & Trustee
Nick co-founded The Funding Network in New Zealand in 2014, and since then has been actively involved in developing TFN as Chair and now as a Trustee. Nick has spent most of his career in sales leadership roles in the food and beverage industry and, in his spare time, is often on stage in one of the two bands he’s in. Click HERE for a short video message from Nick
Paul Dennis
Trustee
Paul joined the TFN board in 2020, and was primarily involved in charity selection for events and fundraising to underpin our ongoing ability to support our charities. Paul has a wealth of business knowledge from leadership roles across a range of businesses; from global start ups to established corporates. Click HERE for a short video message from Paul.
Tim Pare
Charities & Partnerships Co-lead
Tim is passionate about supporting small, grassroots charities and has worked in the sector for over 15 years in the UK, Sri Lanka and now Aotearoa New Zealand. During his career, he has raised over $5 million for small charities. He runs his own charity, the Tea Leaf Trust, and joined the TFN NZ team in 2020. Click HERE to watch a short video message from Tim.
Anusha Bhana
Digital & Comms Co-lead
Anusha is a freelance communications strategist based in Whitianga, New Zealand, with over 8 years experience working in the not-for-profit sector. Her empathetic nature and strong drive to use authentic communication for social change and advocacy led her to join the TFN NZ team in January 2022. Click HERE to watch a short video message from Anusha.
TFN NZ IMPACT
2014 - 2024
The Future
In 2024, Anusha is taking the Generosity Generator online fundraising training programme and developing it into a free, self-paced online course, in partnership with Givealittle. This is TFN NZ's legacy project, and an assurance that capacity building for small Kiwi charities will continue long after our charity has closed.
If you would like more information, or to be notified about the release date & how to access the course, please contact Anusha on: anusha@korimakocreative.co.nz
Additional links:
Media Release: Special Announcement from the TFN NZ team (22nd September 2023)
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